Machine for applying binding tape



Nov. 15', 1949 J. \NAGNER OR APPLYING BINDING TAPE MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 30, 1946 Zinnentor Nov. 15, 1949 J. WAGNER MACHINE FOR APPLYING BINDING TAPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 30, 1946 Nov. 15, 1949 J. WAGNER 2,488,355

MACHINE FOR APPLYING BINDING TAPE Filed Dec. so, 1946 3 Shets-Sheet s w m $3 Q R 1 N \x 1 3nventor I Giro-1:3

Patented NOV. 1 9

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR APPLYING BINDING TAPE Jacob Wagner, Cook County, Ill.

Application December 30, 1946, Serial No. 719,324

2 Claims. (01. 1541.6)

This invention relates to machines for applyin binding tape to articles.

One use of the machine, as illustrated in the drawings, is the application of a pair of binding tapes or strips to a pair of wallet pockets or like flat article to join the same about a flexible hinge.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described comprising a supporting frame, a pair of pressure rollers rotatably mounted on the frame, a platform between the rollers, rolls of binding tape from which the tape is passed over the pressure rollers with the adhesive surfaces of the tape toward each other where they pass through the space between the rollers, so that articles having portions moved over the platform and between the pressure r011- ers in spaced relation to one another will be attached together by the strips of tape passing around the pressure rollers and pressed against said articles as said articles move between the pressure rollers.

A further object of this invention is to provide electric motor means to rotate said pressure rollers, and switch means for said motor controlled by the article to which the tape is applied, the arrangement being such that the motor is rotated as the leading edge of the articles to be bound moves between the rollers and rotation of the motor is stopped after said articles have fully passed through the rollers.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, means to push said articles on the platform to a point where the rotation of the rollers will feed the articles and the binding tape for the binding operation.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, adjustable means to guide said articles as they are moved between the pressure rollers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in an article of the character described, means for adjusting the pressure of the pressure rollers relative to one another.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, means to insure alignment of the rollers of binding tape with the pressure rollers.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a highly improved machine of the character described so constructed that articles may be bound at greatly reduced cost, with greater speed in production and greater uniformity of product, without stitching, producin a clean binding without wrinkles or bulges and provid- .55

ing a more permanent adhesion between the binding tape and the articles bound, not subject to rip, and whereby the necessity for water dispersive glues or cements is eliminated.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a highly improved device of the character described for aifixing continuous adhesivecoated strips to either side of a series of spaced sheets or sheetlike articles as they pass through the device.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described having means for feeding adhesive tape binding into contact with a series of pairs of spaced flat articles which are to be bound and including means to automatically stop the feeding operation when no articles are passing through the machine.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the pressure rollers platform and illustrating the control of the micro-switch above articles passing between the pressure rollers;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. '7 is a partial cross-sectional view of one of the tape rolls and its support.

Referring now in detail to the drawings. H] designates a machine embodying the invention. The same comprises a supporting frame structure ll. Said frame structure ll comprises a pair of parallel side walls or plates I2 and I3. Each of said plates has a top edge [5, a rear edge It and a bottom edge l1. Extending upwardly from the bottom edge I! is a front edge l8 which extends about half the height of the side plate. Extending rearwardly from the upper end of edge [8 is a horizontal edge l9 from which there extends upwardly a vertical edge 20 extending to the upper edge I5. Said side walls or plates I2 and (3 are formed with aligned rectangular guide slots 2i located above the edges l9 and rearwardly of the edge 20, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Said plates l2, [3 are furthermore formed with vertical openings 21a, at

least partially screwthreaded, extending from the.

upper edges ldown to said slots 2! for the purpose hereinafter to be explained. The plates l2 and I3 are interconnected by a horizontal platform or wall 22 which may be fixed to the plates [2 and I3 by screws or any other suitable fastening means.

The upper surface of platform 22 is substantially at the level of the horizontal edges l9 of the side plates l2 and I3. Platform 22 extends from the front edges l8ito the rear'edges 16. It is formed on its under-surface with a curved milled notch 23 which extends to the upper surfaces 22a of the platform thereby fOrming an opening 01' slot 24 in said platform. Said opening 24 is aligned with the slots 2|} The slot is located on the longitudinal mid-section of" the platform and extends in a direction from front to rear and is located somewhat rearwardly of fromlfrontvto rear inspaced relation tot-he plates The. top edges l5- of. the side plates 12 and I 3 are interconnected by a horizontal bar 33. The bar is paralleli to.- the platform 22 and equally spaced: from the rear ends of top edges l5. It is-located rearwardlyof the openings 25afor. the-purposehereinafter appearing.

Fixed to the/outer side of. plate. l2. isahorizontalmotorsupport-bracket 3'2,lhaving,a horizontal. upper. surface. There 15194150. attached to the outside. of plate: I2'.apair of parallel, vertical plates 33'one'located above the motor bracket 32 and OHBL'IOCHtEd forwardly ofsaidmotor bracket and:

adjacent edge [9 of said plate I2.

Mounted on bracket32aisan electric motor 35 having an armature shaft. 36' carrying a worm gear 3-1;. Thearmature shaft is horizontal and perpendicular to plate I2 and extends toward saidlplatel. The plates-33areprovidedwith suitable bearings in which is mounted a horizontal she-ft. 38 perpendicular to the armature shaft 35.

and located thereabove. It carriesa worm wheel 39 meshing with: the: worm: 3']. is: a worm- 40;.

Plates l2 and I3 are provided, below the'platform 2 2-, with a pair of alignedbearings or bush- Onsaid. shaft 33 lugs 42 and supporting a horizontal shaft 43' which is" located below the platform 22. Said shaft 43 is substantially in: alignment with the plane of" the openings 21a. Said shaft. extends beyond plate [2: and carries, a worm wheel 44 which meshes with: the worm: 4B.- shaftll31 is also a 131111011451;

slidably mountedwithimthe-slots 2! are bearingblocks 5.0. covered by plates 51. On blocks 58 isjournalleda horizontal shaft 52 parallel to and spaced abovetheshaft 43. Shaft 52 passes beyond the bearing blockv in plate l2 and carries a pinion" 53 similar to and meshing. with the pinion 45.- It will now be understood that when the motor:isrrotatingrshafts 43; 52 will berotated in opp'osite'directions at equal rates of speed.

Looking; at Fig; 2,.shaft 43. rotates in a clocl wise" direction whereas shaft 52' rotates inacounterclockwise direction; On. the-center of shaft 43 is an externally corrugated pressure roller 55 which may be: fixed. in adjusted position on the. shaft. bysmeansiof: suitablelset screwsa. The; pres- Carried by' sure roller projects into grooves 23 and passes into slot 24. Mounted on the shaft 52 is a pressure roller 55 similar to pressure roller 55 and in alignment therewith.

Engaged within the threaded openings 2la are vertical elongated screws 51 contacting the bearing blocks 5|] for pressing the top pressure roller 56 toward a bottom pressure roller 55. On the screws 51 are lock nuts 51a to retain the screws 51 inadjusted'positions.

Fixed to plate 13, in any suitable manner, are a pair of horizontal shafts 60. The shafts 60 are in the same vertical plane located rearwardly of the shafts 4-3;. 52. On each shaft 60 are a pair of adjusting collars 61. Between said collars are annular plates 62 and 63. Plate 62 is formed withanexternally threaded sleeve 62a engaging the internal threads of a sleeve 63a. extending from-flange 63. Flanges B2, 63 form a holder for a roll 64 of binding tape. The position of the binding tape on: shaft. 60. may be: adjusted. by means of the adjusting collarsBl. Said collars may be provided with set screws 65 so that-they may be adjustably fiXedtoth'e-shaft 60 indesired A position. Ther011s- 64 of tape-maybe adjusted this end thereis slidably mounted in the grooves 2?, bars 22a interconnected 'by a transversehori zontal bar Hlwhich rideson top-of the platform 22. At the center of" the leading edge of the bar iii. is a guide lug ll aligned with the rib'2'5. Thus an article placed on the platform and in f'rontof the movable guidebar 10. may be moved toward the pressure rollers by movi'ngthe guide bar from front to rear. Forthe purpose of illustration, the machine is illustrated in the drawing asapplying the binding strips 54a to opposite sides of 'a. pair of wallet pockets. 1am. attaching the pockets together. The pockets 15 may be made. of transparent. plastic. sheeting. Their open ends are at lfiand their closed endslare at Tl. A pair of. right. and left wallet. pocketsare placed on the platform in front of the bar 10 with the inner or closed edges ll contactingthe lug, H and rib or ridge 25.

Means'isprovided toguide-the outer edges 16 of the articles to bebound together. To this end there is mounted on the platform a pair of flat. Each: of the guide:

though wallet pockets are'showna for. the purpose of illustrationas beingzboundcby thestrips 52a;.it

'. will be: obvious: that any. other flat. articles or sheets may be bound or attached together by the machine described herein.

The articles are placed on the platform in spaced symmetrical relation as shown in Fig. 5. When the bar 76 is moved forwardly, said articles will enter between the rollers and the adhesive surfaces of the tape strip will be pressed against said articles so that as the pressure rollers rotate, the binding strips will be pressed against opposite sides of said articles to attach them together. Obviously, the center portions of the strips will contact one another and adhere together. Once the articles are gripped by the rollers it is not necessary to push the articles 15 any further by means of bar 10 as the rollers thus will advance the articles through together with the strips of tape.

Means is provided to energize the motor when an article to be taped is moved toward the pressure rollers and to stop rotation of the roller when the articles have passed beyond the rollers. To this end there is fixed to bar a downwardly extending vertical plate 8|. Plate BI is disposed between shafts 52 and 6E] and terminates above platform 22. Fixed thereto and extending forwardly thereof is a microswitch 82 which includes a switch arm or lever 83 projecting forwardly of a point in front of and at one side of the opening 24. The switch 82 is so connected to the motor that when arm or lever 83 is pressed upwardly, the motor is energized, and when arm 83 is released the motor circuit is broken and the motor is deenergized. When the articles to be taped approach the rollers, the leading edge of one of the articles will engage the arm or lever 83 and close the micro-switch to complete the motor circuit to energize the motor. The pressure rollers 55 and 55 are then rotated for feeding the article between the rollers and causing the articles to be bound together. When the articles pass beyond the leading or hooked end of the switch arm or lever 83, said switch arm is released and opens the motor circuit to stop the rotation of the motor. Obviously the binding may be applied to a single article instead of two articles for the purpose of joining them together, or a single binding roll may be employed.

The operation of the device will now be described.

The rolls of binding tape are placed on the two center threaded interlocking plates 62, 63. Care should be taken so that the impregnated side of the binding strip does not touch the pressure roller but appears at the outside of the pressure roller. The same caution should be taken when installing the bottom binding roll. The binding rolls should be located in alignment with the pressure rollers and tightened in position by means of the collars Bl. Then draw the binding strip from the top and bottom rolls and place them over the pressure rollers as close to the junction of both rollers as possible. Then lift the switch lever 83 gently allowing the bindings to be drawn into and between the pressure rollers. Since the pressure rollers are operating at the same speeds, the top binding and the bottom binding will emerge fused. Slight adjustment may be necessary to line up the bindings.

Then push the slide bar until its outer edge is in alignment with the leading edge of the platform 22. Then place the wallet pocket or other articles to be bound on the platform flush with the rear edge of the horizontal bar 10. Then move the right pocket to the left until it contacts lug H. Repeat the same for the left pocket. The pockets to be bound are now properly located and are squared to each other. Then place the right hand on the right pocket and the left hand on the left pocket. Four fingers are to rest lightly on the article 15 while the thumbs rest on the horizontal bar 10. Then move the horizontal bar 10 rearwardly. The horizontal bar will move the pockets rearwardly until said pockets overlap the guide plates 18. Make sure not to move the switch lever during th s operation. Then move in the side guides 73 until they barely touch the articles 15. Then tighten the guides 18. Replace the hands as previously described and move the bar 10 forwardly until bar 10 contacts plate 18. As the articles pass under the pressure sensitive switch 83, the motor will rotate the rollers which start drawing the bottom and top binding and article 15 rearwardly. The bottom binding becomes affixed to the bottom of the two articles, while the top binding becomes aflixed to the top of said articles. As soon as the articles pass the switch, the motor will stop. Then draw the slide bar to its original position and repeat. Two articles are thus joined together into a single product by two pieces of binding. Obviously the binding between the pairs of bound-together articles may later be severed.

It will be readily seen that my invention is capable of modification of the embodiment herein described and I therefore do not wish to be strictly confined to the structure set forth.

The scope of the invention is defined in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a pair of parallel side walls, a horizontal platform supported by and between said side walls, a horizontal shaft rotatably mounted on said side walls and beneath said platform, a pair of bearing blocks slidably mounted on said side walls, a horizontal shaft journalled in said bearing blocks, said platform having an opening, similar aligned pressure rollers on said shafts, the roller on the first shaft projecting through said opening, means to rotate said rollers in opposite directions at the same rate of speed, horizontal shafts on at least one of said side walls, one above and one below said platform, means on said last shafts to support rolls of binding tape, the tape from the top roll being adapted to be passed onto the top roller, and the tape from the bottom roll being adapted to be passed over the bottom roller, said means for rotating the roller shafts comprising an electric motor, a switch controlling said motor located above the platform and adjacent said rollers so that an article moved on the platform will contact said switch, and a bar on said platform parallel to said shafts and slidably mounted on said platform for movement in a direction perpendicular to said bar.

2. In combination, a pair of parallel side walls, a horizontal platform supported by and between said side walls, a horizontal shaft rotatably mounted on said side walls and beneath said platform, a pair of bearing blocks slidably mounted on said side walls, a horizontal shaft journalled in said bearing blocks, said platform having an opening, similar aligned pressure rollers on said shafts, the roller on the first shaft projecting through said opening, means to rotate said rollers in opposite directions at the same rate of speed, horizontal shafts on at least one of said side walls, one above and one below said platform,

7 means on said last :shafts to support rolls of binding itape, the tape from the top r011 being adapted to. beupassed onto the, top roller, and the tape from the. bottom r011 being adapted to be passed over the bottom roller, said means for rotating the roller shafts comprising an electric motor, a switch controlling; said motor located above the platform and adjacent said rollers so that an article moved on theplatform will: contact saidswitch, and a bar on said platform parallel to'said shafts and slidably mounted on said platform for movement in a direction perpendicular to said vbar, and guide members on said platform to guide articles on said. plat- 81 form as they are moved by said bar uponslidably moving said bar on said platform.

JACOB WAGNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

